Description

Creamy, crunchy, and packed with fall flavors, this No-Bake Caramel Apple Lush is a showstopping layered dessert. With a spiced gingersnap crust, smooth cream cheese, rich butterscotch pudding, and a crisp caramel-apple topping, it’s the ultimate no-fuss, crowd-pleasing treat.

Ingredients

For the Gingersnap Crust:
2 cups crushed gingersnap cookie crumbs (about 40 cookies)
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Cream Cheese Layer:
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 cup Cool Whip

For the Pudding Layer:
6.8 ounces butterscotch or caramel pudding mix
3 cups milk
1/4 cup caramel sauce

For the Toppings:
Remaining Cool Whip (from the same 8-ounce container)
1 medium Red Delicious, Gala, or Cortland apple, cored and coarsely chopped
1 medium Granny Smith apple, cored and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup caramel sauce
1/3 cup dry roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped

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Instructions

Make the Crust:
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, combine crushed gingersnap cookies with melted butter. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the dish. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to firm up.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Layer:
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and milk until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in 1 cup of Cool Whip. Spread the mixture evenly over the chilled crust.
Mix the Pudding Layer:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and 3 cups of milk for 2 minutes. Let it sit for another 2 minutes to thicken. Stir in the caramel sauce, then spread the pudding mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer.
Top with Cool Whip:
Spread the remaining Cool Whip over the pudding layer. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until fully set.

Add Toppings Before Serving:
Just before serving, evenly sprinkle chopped apples over the top. Drizzle with caramel sauce and scatter chopped peanuts for the perfect crunchy finish.

Notes

For extra crunch, toast the peanuts before sprinkling them on top.
Use an offset spatula to spread each layer evenly for a clean presentation.
Apples are best added right before serving to keep them from browning and releasing moisture into the topping.
This dessert is best enjoyed fresh but keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American